Optimum Tools Tools and Supplies for Quick and Efficient ICF Install

Optimum Tools & Supplies for Quick & Efficient ICF Installs

Once you have committed to build with ICF and you have your materials on site or on order, you need to start considering your plan of action on site. The best ICF system can be turned around into one of the worst installations simply by trying to build the walls without the right tools.

This list of tools and equipment is includes everything from the basic tools to the optimum setup to handle virtually any ICF install project. The tools and equipment are broken down into several categories. Many of the tools needed for installing ICF’s are not specific to ICF but some items such as a wall alignment scaffold system are somewhat proprietary to ICF. The category delineation has some overlap so your interpretation is invited. Supplies for specific applications such as anchor tunnels etc. are not considered part of the supply list.

Transportation

Truck, ¾ ton or greater for tool storage and pulling
Trailer, 18’ heavy duty for wall alignment system
Tie down straps

Personal

Workbelt
Basic carpenter’s tools

Layout

100’ steel tape
Layout laser (we like the PLS-5 by Pacific Laser Systems)
Laser level
Plumb bob (sometimes easier than a laser)
Chalk boxes, (Red for permanence, Blue for sensitive areas)

Reinforcement

Manual rebar cutter/bender
Elect. Or Hyd. Rebar cutter/bender system
14” Gas cut-off saw
Gas can for saw
Yankee twisters for rebar ties (1 per crew member)
Hickey bender
4” Electric grinder(Bosch)
14” Electric cut-off saw(Bosch)
Bolt cutters
Stirrup bender

Carpentry

Air compressor
Nail gun
Air hose
Blower attachment for air hose
Corded ½” drill (Bosch)
Cordless drill driver (3 for a crew)(Bosch)
Corded hammerdrills (2 for a crew)(Bosch)
Cordless hammerdrills (2 for a crew)(Bosch)
Condrive system (2-3 sets for a crew)
Levels, 2’,4’,6’,8’ (Stabila)
Nail pullers, small & large
Sledgehammer
Stake puller
Corded Circular saw
Cordless Circular saw
Corded sawzall
Cordless sawzall

ICF Foam Related

Handsaws, short finer tooth, (5 for a crew)
Electric chainsaw
Keyhole saw (3 for a crew)
Windlock Rasp
Hotknife

Concrete Related

100 steel stakes
Stake puller
Demolition Drill/Hammer
Corded vibrator, 1” head
Cordless vibrator (2 for crew)
Pump tip hose
Trowels
Laser Screed trowel

Clean Up

Push broom (2 for a crew)
Regular broom
Short handle flat tip shovel
Garden hose, 250’
Garden hose nozzle
3’ Squeegee

ICF Specific

100 sets of wall alignment scaffold system, 8’-12’ capability
Prescriptive Methods for ICF Book

Misc

Generator
Compound miter saw
Spiracut tool
Portable table saw
Socket set
Wrench set
Vise grips
Channel locks
Adjustable wrench
Small pipe wrench
5# Hammers (2)
Magnet
Ladders 2ea. 4’,6’,8’,10’,
Extension ladder, up to 28’
Water cooler 10 gal.
Ice chest
First aid kit
Extension cords, 500’
Power dist. Block
Flashlight
Calculator
Tin snips
PVC Pipe cutter
Large speed square
Layout square
Framing square
.22 caliber nail driver w/ shot & pins
Wood chisels
Spare Turnbuckles
Concrete chisels
Repair tools/toolbox

Supplies

Rags
Hand cleaner
Drinking cups
Foam adhesive
Foam adhesive guns (1 per crew member)
Foam adhesive cleaner
Gloves, concrete
Gloves, work
Spray paint (3 or 4 colors)
Magic Markers (3 or 4 colors)
Pencils
Chalk for chalk lines (two colors)
Vinegar
Oil
Grease
WD-40
Oil mix for saw
Gas
Tapcon screws, 1-3/4”
2-1/2” course screws
1-5/8” course screws
4” course screws
Bit boss (1 per drill)
Bit tips for drill drivers
Hex bits for drill drivers
Drill bits for drill drivers
Spade bits for drills
Hammer drill bits (all sizes)
Core bits, 4”, 6”
Saw blades for each saw
Saw blades for cut-off saws
Sawzall blades
Utility knife blades
Nailgun nails
Nailgun oil
Duplex nails, 16d
Sinker nails, 12d
Reinforcing twist ties
Stringline
Grinder discs
Cut nails
Concrete nails
Self tapping screws for metal or plastic
Rebar chairs
Rope
Fiber tape
Packaging tape
Duct tape
Tie wire
Waterproof tarp
Bracing specific screws
Hole saws
Trash bags
Plastic “zip ties” various long lengths